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Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: January 22 – 28, 2011

Monday, January 24 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, through April 25 any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase of a five-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Tuesday, January 25 – Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Open House
2011 is here! Have you considered what your new year’s resolution will be? Want an idea that will impact lives and decrease the risk of crime, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, poor school performance and gang affiliation? Consider becoming a volunteer mentor. Want to learn more? The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership is hosting an open house from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street. RSVP by calling Loralei Coyle at 703.746.4506 or e-mailing loralei.coyle@alexandriava.gov. For general information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/mentoring.

Thursday, January 27 – Civil War Dance Class
In preparation for the Civil War Ball on Saturday, January 29, learn the waltz, polka, Virginia reel and more from an expert dance master at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. The class is 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Thursday, January 27 – Social Networking Tools for Small BusinessesThe West End Business Association (WEBA) will sponsor an information session on “Social Networking Tools for Smal. Businesses” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Washington Suites Hotel, 100 N. Reynolds St. The cost of the session, which includes a continental breakfast is $10 for WEBA members, and $15 for others. Free parking is available. Panelists include Fleur Gessner of Cybertary; Ashley Baldeon of Commonwealth One; and Susie Cooper of REUNIONS. Please reserve your space by calling 703.772.6716 or e-mailing brahmopticians@aol.com.

Thursday, January 27 – World Short Story Discussion Group
Come and discuss the last three short stories from Art of the Short Story, Gioia ed. ( 808.31 Art), at the next meeting of the World Short Story Discussion Group. The group will meet at 7 p.m. at the Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd. Please call Mark Schwartz at 703.746.1770 for information on the story selections and the group.

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 29 – Preparing for a Ball
Balls were a girl’s favorite thing to do in the 18th century and now you can explore the tavern where famous balls like George Washington’s Birthnight Ball were held! At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., practice the tasks involved in preparing for a ball, take an 18th century dance lesson and make a craft to take home! Tours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost $6 per person. This event is ideal for Girls Scouts and families, age 5 and up. Reservations are required, so call 703.746.4739 to save your spot. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Saturday, January 29 – Civil War Ball
Enjoy an evening from the 1860s at the Civil War Ball, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the historic ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Get ready for the Civil War Sesquicentennial at this memorable event, which will include live music, dance instruction, and period desserts. Period attire, either civilian or military, is encouraged. Cost is $45 in advance, $50 at the door (if tickets are available), and reservations are required. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Saturday, January 29 – January Jubilee
Come and hear local young author Kristin Levine talk about her book, The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had. Levine’s presentation will begin at 1 p.m. at the Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd. Following the discussion of the book, stay and watch The Browne Academy students perform a Handbell Concert at 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 703.746.1704.

Sunday, January 30 – Presidential Salon with James Madison
At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., join President James Madison in the historic Assembly Room as he discusses and engages guests about political and personal issues of 1811. From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., take part in this conversation with the fourth President of the United States and be a party to the public debate in the company of James Madison, as presented by John Douglas Hall. Reservations are recommended and admission is $15 per person and $10 per high school/college student. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Thursday, February 3 – Registration Deadline for Alexandria’s Citizens Academy
Get to know your City! The 8-week Alexandria Citizens Academy provides an opportunity for residents to learn about City government through first-hand experience and gain exposure to the wide range of government functions, services, activities and issues. The deadline for registration is Thursday, February 3. For more information, call 703.746.4800 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/CitizensAcademy.

Save the Date!

Friday, February 4 – Reagan Centennial Event
Celebrate the Reagan Centennial with a special event scheduled at 12 p.m. at Market Square in front of City Hall, 301 King St. Former Virginia Senator George Allen is expected to deliver the keynote speech. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Vola Lawson Lobby inside City Hall. More details will be announced soon.

Thursday, February 10 – 30th Anniversary of Alexandria’s Battered Women’s Shelter
Please join the Friends of the Commission for Women in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Alexandria Battered Women’s Shelter, by enjoying Alexandria’s MetroStage performance of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Larry Parr, and directed by Gary Yates. A reception kicks off the event at 6:30 p.m., the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m., and a live auction will take place during intermission. Tickets are $75 ($40 of which is tax deductible), and proceeds will benefit the Alexandria Domestic Violence Program. Visit the website for event information and online ticket purchases. If you have questions, please e-mail friendsofalexwomen@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 9 & 16 - Speak Up, Take ACTion Town Hall Meetings
Want to improve the quality of life in Alexandria? Speak up! ACT for Alexandria, the City of Alexandria, Partnership for a Healthy Alexandria, and Virginia Tech are partnering to develop a better way to inform key decisions in Alexandria – through “quality of life indicators.” Quality of life indicators are the answers to the question, “What matters most to the people who live in Alexandria?” Save the date for upcoming Town Hall meetings on Wednesday, February 9, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at William Ramsay Recreation Center and Wednesday, February 16, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Beginning February 7, you can also take five minutes to vote online with ACTion Alexandria at www.actionalexandria.org. For more information, visit www.healthieralexandria.org

Now Registering

Expect Respect Program Volunteer Training
The Expect Respect program is seeking a group of volunteers to present an educational program that promotes healthy relationships to Alexandria youth. Volunteers give presentations to middle and high school classes throughout the school year. The expected volunteer commitment is four to six hours per month and volunteers must have the flexibility to present during the school day. Volunteers are required to complete one full day of training. The training will be held on Saturday, February 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In-class observations will be scheduled after training is completed. For more information or to register, please contact Kim Hurley at 703.746.5030 or e-mail kim.hurley@alexandriava.gov by Friday, February 4.

Community Emergency Response Team Training
The Alexandria Office of Emergency Management offers residents of the City of Alexandria the opportunity to join with other concerned members of the community to be trained as a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The CERT program teaches City residents how to help themselves and their neighbors increase their neighborhoods’ disaster readiness by performing essential tasks that aid in disaster recovery and response. The training is free. For more information, call Kim Purcell at 703.746.5259 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/CERT.

Green Building Workshop Series
On Saturday, February 5, attend the first Eco-City Alexandria Green Building Workshop to learn do-it-yourself improvements that save energy and increase comfort for your home, apartment or small business. The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101 at City Hall, 301 King Street. A raffle for an energy efficient door prize will occur at the end of the workshop. For more information, call the Office of Environmental Quality at 703.746.4065 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/Eco-City. RSVP to erica.bannerman@alexandriava.gov to reserve your space at the workshop. To learn more about the City's green building initiatives, visit www.alexandriava.gov/GreenBuilding.

Ongoing

Domestic Violence Support Group
Are you a victim of verbal, emotional, or physical abuse from your partner? Don’t suffer alone, join a support group where you can learn tools that will keep you safe and empowered. The support group meets every Tuesday evening and child care is provided. For more information, call 703.746.4911 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/DomesticViolence.

City of Alexandria Farmers’ Markets
The City of Alexandria is host to the Old Town Farmers’ Market and Del Ray Farmers’ Market every Saturday. The markets feature colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruit, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, meat, bakery items and artisans. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.